House That! Rod Stewart, City Beach and the legendary parties of Tomich House

Tomich House in City Beach stands out from the crowd — and it seems, so does everyone connected to it.

No wonder those close to it often remark: “If these walls could talk ...”

The six-bedroom home was designed by Perth’s most famous and internationally acclaimed architect Iwan Iwanoff and built in his signature style in 1971.

Camera IconPerth businessman Alister NorwoodPicture: The West Australian

Its first owner was the winemaking Tomich family but it was soon afterwards sold to Jeanswest founder Alister Norwood — an 1980s highflyer until mounting debts forced him to sell the chain’s 116 stores.

Norwood’s parties at the home were legendary, and are rumoured to have once included music legend Rod Stewartwho played the grand piano under a chandelier in the formal entertainment area. In 1988, the house was purchased by renowned fashion designer Liz Davenportand husband Terry. But the couple are now moving to Byron Bay to be closer to children and grandchildren.

“They are swapping sunsets for sunrises,” says son Peter Davenport.

Camera IconRod Stewart.Picture: WA News

The house is being sold by Bellcourt Property agent Pauline Michael, but it is also being spruiked by her colleague Carl Casilli, a former detective who spent five years investigating the Corryn Rayney murder case.

He was jailed for nine months in 2014 after being found guilty of passing on confidential information to his former mistress and lawyer, Kristen Hammond, and has since joined the real estate company.

Agents say the 1184sqm block, which also has a spa, sauna and tennis court, sits at the highest point between Hillarys and Fremantle, providing a 360 degree view along the coast, to the CBD and out to distant coastal waters.

The property is expected to fetch a price in the high $2 millions. It is a sign of the times that only last year another real estate agency said it was likely to sell between $3 million and $5 million.

THE MERCANTI FAMILY’S BETTER DAYS

There is a small bright spot in the otherwise tormented Mercanti family saga.

Last year family patriarch Michael and wife Yvonne were on the edge of losing their Karrinyup home after being ordered to pay court costs in a bitter legal dispute with son Tyrone over the family shoe repair business.

Camera IconMercanti family home.Picture: The West Australian

The dispute split the family, with sons Jason and Jamie — who is the frontman for pub band Slim Jim and the Phatts — siding with their parents. It’s uncertain who got the support of son Troy Mercanti — once labelled WA’s most notorious bikie.

Jamie set up a Gofundme page last year to raise $300,000 to save the family home, cover legal costs and help with medical care for Mr Mercanti, who has a brain tumour.

For the past few months the fund has stagnated at $9300 in contributions, so it hasn’t been looking good for the home.

But Jamie reveals it has been saved. He said relatives and friends came up with $42,000 a couple of months ago which is enough to help them keep the property they’ve owned since 1977.

He said the Gofundme page remains active to raise money for medical costs for his bedbound pensioner father, who is suffering depression over the family saga.